“Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford
A Hewlett Packard report found men apply for a job or promotion when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, but women apply only if they meet 100% of them.
What doomed them was not their actual ability, it was the decision not to try.
So what can YOU do to feel more confident and not feel a cold shiver down your back?
First, reflect on things you do well. Your belief in yourself is a huge factor in determining your success and confidence.
William James’ a renowned American psychologist, proposed that confidence is built on the foundations of two things:
- How you feel and what you believe about yourself.
- How you view your self-image, and whether or not you approve of it.
Work on these two things and you’ll start seeing your confidence rise.
The second tip is to target anxiety with relaxation exercises.
Here’s a list.
- Do some belly breathing. Take long, slow, deep breaths.
- Mindfulness meditation.
- Yoga, tai chi.
- Repetitive prayer.
- Download a relaxation meditation app on your phone.
- Turn off your phone for an hour a day.
- Get more sleep.
- Try to clear your thoughts at the end of the day.
- Find someone to talk to.
- Get some sort of therapy.
The last tip is to Use CBT. Use Therapy for Self-Confidence Issues.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most useful methods for increasing self-confidence.
The goal is to change dysfunctional thinking patterns and replace them with functional, healthy thinking patterns.
Four main techniques may be used in CBT for self-confidence:
- Cognitive restructuring – Challenging and restructuring negative thoughts
- Systematic exposure – Strategically exposing yourself to triggers or things that scare you. Practicing relaxation techniques and methods to cope with a negative experience.
- Mindfulness training – Living in the present and focus on the experience around you.
- Problem-solving – Solving the challenges of your everyday life.
The Importance of Believing in Yourself
Not only does it simply feel good to believe in yourself, self-confidence and self-belief also bring about other desirable benefits.
Research has shown that those with high self-confidence enjoy:
- Better overall health, because you’d be able to deal with stress and difficult emotions better.
- Better relationships and ability to focus on improving relationships.
- Improved performance at work through better ability to concentrate and greater commitment to tasks.
We hope this helps you and you become more confident today! Take action and see how quickly your confidence will rise!